GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA FOR PARISHES FROM THE DIOCESE OF YOUNGSTOWN

 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 

  1. The reconfiguration of the diocese will be a creative response to the fewer number of priests, the demographic/population shift and the needs of Catholics today.
  1. Full sacramental ministry, pastoral care and Christian formation will be available to all Catholic people within 15 miles or 25 minutes from their home.
  1. Competent pastoral ministers (i.e. priests, deacons, religious, commissioned and certified persons) will provide sacramental ministry, pastoral care and Christian formation.
  1. All parishes and institutions of the diocese will continue to manifest a special concern for the needs of the poor and marginalized.
  1. All parishes will continue to reach out to the alienated, the inactive and un-churched.
  1. Every parish must have a functioning parish council and finance council.  Every parish must be financially stable and solvent. ¹ The parish council and finance council will participate in a formal and regular assessment of the communal, spiritual, sacramental and formational programs using an evaluative tool provided by the diocese.
  1. The reconfiguration of the diocese will respect the age, numbers, talents, abilities and limitation of the priest.
  1. The reconfiguration of the diocese will be congruent with civil and canon law.

 

¹ Financial stability and solvency is defined as being current with routine operating expenses and not being in arrears for more than three months with diocesan and high school assessments, self-insurance, benefits and priests retirement. 

CRITERIA FOR PARISHES

 

  1. Parishes:  separate or in collaboration with others will show evidence of quality ministries of the Word, Worship and Service.
  1. Parishes:  separate or in collaboration with others will show credible evidence of financial stability.
  1. Parishes:  separate or in collaboration with others will, with the assistance of the Office of Canonical Services show that their structures are congruent with civil and canon law.
  1. Parish plans for the future will show evidence of responding to fewer priests, the demographic/population shifts and the needs of Catholics today.
  1. Parish plans for the future will incorporate an assessment of existing facilities.

 

Prepared by the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, November 29, 2009